Sinclair Broadcast's Diamond Dogs

Well, it happened. As I have been post-predicting, first on March 5th and then on March 11th, Regional Sports Network (RSN), Diamond Sports has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Diamond Sports is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group and has a naming rights deal with Bally Corporation for all 19 of its wholly-owned RSNs. This means that the play-by-play rights for at least 42 MLB, NBA and NHL teams are now up-in-the-airwaves. I say at least 42 because Diamond/Sinclair also has a part ownership with the Cubs in the Marquee Network and the Yankees in the YES Network.

It seems that back in 2019, Diamond/Sinclair overpaid Disney for the 19 formerly Fox Sports Networks and they are now some 8 billion dollars in debt. The biggest question now is who is going to broadcast the 14 MLB teams (not counting the Cubs and Yankees) that are on the Diamond/Sinclair/Bally Sports Networks in places all over the country (see map below). With opening day less than three weeks away, the play-by-play of those 14 teams is now a “who’s on first” question. That is, who’s first 2023 MLB games are going to be broadcast on which stations? Will it be a Diamond/Sinclair/Bally Sports RSN in bankruptcy or someone else? The NBA and NHL (for now) are in less trouble because it's almost post-season time and most of those games are aired on national networks.

MLB issued a statement saying that the bankruptcy is an “unfortunate development”, but they assured fans that they will not miss any games this season, even if they have to broadcast those games on its very own MLB.TV App.

This bankruptcy, along with a recent statement by AT&T SportsNet, saying it would shut down its 4 RSNs, continues to be a massive developing story. Even though for now, it does not have any repercussions in Chicago, that could change at any time. It could even mean that sometime soon, local fans may be able to purchase their favorite team's games directly from an RSN or from the league itself, without having to subscribe to any other service. That’s why it’s even more important to keep up with pricing for cable, satellite and streaming services. Lower Tech Bills is doing that. Visit www.lowertechbills.com or email hmwellsradio@gmail.com for more information on how I will do a free examination of your Cell, Internet and TV bills.